After Careful Consideration (Maria)

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Tally Cremer and Darren Montejano

It was rather late in the morning when Tally and Darren finally managed to get away from King's Park and take the walk down the road to where Ferndale Farms was located, a small crisis having occurred with the now-two year old Chief. The son of Essy and Torto was quickly establishing himself as the new Storm, making everything as difficult as it could possibly be for his handlers in terms of prepping for his debut on the track. This morning he had taken a disliking to his stall, throwing his weight around and kicking the walls a few times until someone grew worried enough about his legs to turn him out. Once in the pasture, he had decided a nice run several times around the pasture would be nice, which had resulted in all eyes on him to make sure he didn't hurt himself or any of the other horses out with him. It was only once he had calmed down that Tally had decided it was safe to leave.

They were headed down to Ferndale to examine several stallions who were standing at stud there; Daemon in particular, a GIII runner and feature winner who was a major threat on the track during his career and had just been retired to stud. Tally firmly believed that the stallion deserved to be in GII or GI even, and that he would definitely have been up there with his stablemate Hoist the Colours if not for an injury.

Tally had a very important decision to make this year; King's Park's GI champion sprinter Autumn Fun had retired this year also, and Tally was determined to find the perfect stud for the chestnut. She had a feeling Sola and Daemon could be quite the pairing, but thought the same of Challenger of Flat Creek, which meant there was a decision to be made. Add in her interest in Daemon for two other broodmares and a couple of other matches with Ferndale studs, and she had quite a good reason to go visiting. And as always, Darren had volunteered to come with her, forever having nothing better to do with his time. She hid a small smile then; it was well-known around the stable that Darren had no other job, unlike Amy and Selena and Jay. King's Park was as much his life as it was Tally's.

When they reached their destination, Tally was impressed with what she saw. A large, airy barn was the first thing she noticed, which was where she guessed that their racing string at least was kept; whether or not this was the home to the breeding stock as well, she wasn't sure. There was no sign of life around either, except the horses, and both her and Darren hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to head into the barn or not. Tally had mentioned in passing to one of the Ferndale staff that she intended to visit, so she expected someone was still around - though where they were at the moment was a complete mystery.

[Admin Maria]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Lee Mulligan & Richard Johnson Lee and Ricky had been watching over the work out of the yearlings, soon to be yearlings anyways. Currently they were being lunged in the round pens, Lee watching over Animal Kingdom. The chestnut Sabino colt was one of the first born foals from their striking maximum sabino stud The White Fox. Chad was the one working out the leggy colt, while Scott lunged Patty in the neighboring one. The sesame filly tossed her head and snorted when Mike came jogging up the pathway, a smirk firmly on his face. Die had finished with just enough wins to be classed as a GII, despite his injury. He never started his GII Career however, which was a shame. What are you smirking about? Ricky asked without really taking his gaze off Patty and Scott. Die being Die. Still as ornery as ever. Out of the corner of his eye Ricky saw Lee smirk at that. Oh, and someone from Kings Park said they’d be stopping by. Mike added and Lee nodded, glancing away from Animal only long enough to see Mike jog off towards the barn where she could hear shouts coming from. Kind of makes you think what his and Hollys foal will be like Commented Ricky from beside her, causing Lee to snort. Lord help us. She drawled, smirking at him. Oh come on, you love that hellion. I plead the fifth. A movement out of the corner of her eye had her glancing away once more. She spotted two figures walking down the path, neither matched the build of her workers. Alright guys, cool em down. That’s enough for today. Chad and Scott nodded, while Lee and Ricky walked up to greet their guests. As they drew closer Lee recognized them as the owner of Kings park and her assistant trainer. She briefly found it ironic that it was she and her trainer coming to greet their guests. Tally, Darren what brings you to us today? For now Ricky stood silently beside her, only offering them each a polite nod of his head in greeting.

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Tally Cremer and Darren Montejano

The noise of a small commotion came from near the barn as they came closer, though they couldn't see what was going on exactly. From the sounds of it, someone was having some trouble with one of the horses. The next minute, Lee, the owner of Ferndale, appeared, followed by her trainer Ricky. How ironic, Tally thought to herself with a small smile as the two approached.

"Tally, Darren what brings you to us today?" Lee asked in greeting as Ricky nodded at each of them in turn. Darren returned the trainer's greeting, while Tally turned to Lee.

"I heard you have a few new studs this year," she replied with a smile. "Would it be too much trouble if we looked them over? I've got a few mares in mind that might be good matches."

[Admin Maria]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Lee & Ricky Ricky didn’t really move from where he stood, despite the cries from the barn. At least he didn’t until Lee nodded, signaling that he should go assist the failures. Would it be too much trouble if we looked them over? I've got a few mares in mind that might be good matches. Lee kept her attention on the duo as Ricky excused himself with a quiet Excuse me a sec. Once her trainer was off towards the barn and the shouts quieted, she knew that he’d gotten Die under control. Yes, We recently had some of our stallions retire to stud. If you follow me I’ll show you around. She’d wait for their agreement before turning and heading towards the stud barn, where Ricky was waiting outside with her massive stallion. Since Ricky already has him out here. This is Daemon, he recently retired after reaching grade II. During his racing career he had 10 wins. He is a tad bit aggressive, but very competitive a trait we’re sure will pass to his offspring. She nodded and Ricky shifted the black stallion down a ways, while one of the grooms lead out the next stallion. This is Talon, he was purchased as a stud. While he never had a racing career due to an injury during training that caused him to be untraceable, he is a handsome boy and is sure to add some color to your barn. She informed them as her hand ran over the buckskins snout. The groom lead him off after a few moments, and a large white stallion exited the stud barn next. The White Fox is unraced due to injury, but has a sweet nature off the track. He is a maximum sabino, and does great working the distance foals. He is personally one of my favorite boys here, due to the fact he can be a bit of a clown. The parade continued with Jimmi. The groom that lead the large bay out seemed to cower away from their audience, though the stud seemed to preen. Jimmis race history is not astounding, but in every race he gave it his all. He’s a dark bay with sooty gene and is a laid back stud. We’re sure his nature will be passed to his offspring. Lee had to admit their studs didn’t race much..but it was all about to change with the upcoming brood. And here comes A Dogs Life, purchased for the use of stud. He is a complete clown and adds a bit of color to the barn here at Ferndale. As if to prove her point, the flashy stud snagged a hat off a passing groom and tossed his head, seemingly playing keep away. Lee chuckled As you can see, his antics are our light here. Hopefully his offspring will keep true to his nature. He’s determined on the track, and gives our racers a run for their money during work outs. And finally, we have Just Dun It. He adores attention, and will often be seen prancing about the paddock or when he was racing…down the post parade. A competitive stallion he tries his best, and adds a splash of roan into our group. Justin bobbed his head before seeming to preen at the attention. That’s basically all our studs. Which were you interested in?

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Tally Cremer and Darren Montejano

Both Tally and Darren ran a critical eye over each stud as they appeared, taking in each line of the perfectly conformed thoroughbreds. Tally had considered a few of the other Ferndale studs for some of their other mares, but hadn't really given it serious thought yet; now that she saw them, she could see several matches that she liked much better than the ones she had so far picked out. Primarily, The White Fox had caught her interest. She had yet to pick out a stud for Indy, and though at first she hadn't really considered him due to a lack of a racing history or notable pedigree or progeny, now that she saw him she had to admit he was quite a nice and affordable stud.

He wasn't what they had come here to see though. "We were hoping to have a look at Daemon, if that's possible," she replied to Lee's question, noticing that the stallion seemed particularly temperamental, not having lost the fire that had made him a valuable adversary on the track. "I've got a few mares that could be good matches for him," she added, almost as an afterthought.

[Admin Maria]

[bg=black][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Lee & Ricky Lee stood silently while their guests scanned over each of the studs her staff lead past, trying her hardest to ignore the angered squeals coming from where Ricky was holding Die. As Justin was lead back inside, she turned towards the duo to see what they thought and if any caught their attention. Die lunged forth squealing as he tried to get at Justin, but was restrained by Daddy Rick. Lee of course ignored this with a practiced ease, out of all her staff she trusted Ricky and Mike to beable to handle Die. It didn’t take long before Tally spoke, requesting to see Die. Sure. Ricky, Bring Die over. She called, to which Dies ears perked up and he basically dragged Ricky over to where they were standing. Lee clipped the lead she had draped over her shoulders onto Dies halter, and his posture changed in an instant. He went from tense, ready to strike to relaxed and began nuzzling into her arm. Chuckling she shook her head and pushed him away. Here he Is, though I doubt I need to tell y’all..be careful if ya wish a closer look. She informed them, for Die was a known kicker…and biter. What mares did ya have in mind, if you don’t mind my asking? On the other side of Die, Ricky shook his head fondly and stroked the black stallions neck. Such a Mommas boy.

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